The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-27
Letter From Boston.
Communicated.

The contraction ana expansion OF the
living mass of humanity that frequent the
business centre Of the Hub daily, would
strongly impress one with either of the two
ideas, namely: that the population is too
large or the business centre too small-both
of which are truthsp perfectly apparent to
the most casual observer. In time, all this
will be remedied, and proper adjustments
will be made to meet the necessary require
ments of this thrifty, energetic people.
Washington street, the main artery of the
Hub, begins at the Charles river on the
north side and extends nine miles in a
southwesterly direction, when it enters the
staid old town of Dedham.
1t is not for Washington street alone to
enjoy the special privilege of entering a
suburban town, for nearly all of the less
distinguished Of the many streets of this
great city, terminate at a populous centre
beyond the belt; all of which lend their
quote to the over crowded business centre
at the Hub.
Brookline, the Newton's, Jamaica Plain,
and Waltham on the south side are connect
ed by rail. A drive throughout these lone
ly hamlets is favor richly repaid by the
enjoyment Of rare scenic beauty, lovely
homesteads and splendid highways. Here,
every conceivable style of architecture
known to the arts is in layish display on
all sides; and the beautiful Queen Anne,
Eastlake, or the combination list with nice
ly trimmed grounds and beautiful floral
adornments, make scene of lovliness tina t
borders on the ideal earthly paradise that
is somewhere in existence. But to the Hub.
Here amid the din of steam and machinery
and the hustle of the noisy train that fol-
lows this populous and great manufacture
ing city, one may be excused for SO slight
DEPRESSION as that of going beyond our
limits to catch breath Of pure air and en-
joy such lovely scenery. Old South Church
Cor. Milk and Washington streets, is now
in the very centre of this thrift and enter
prise, and is the most noted Westinghouse
in the city on account of its historical as
sociations.
Benjamin Franklin was baptized and at
tended worship in this church.
Warren delivered his famous speech on
the anniversary of the Boston Massacre;
the "Tea Party" organized within its walls;
and the annual election sermons were de-
livered to the Ancient and Honorable Ar
tillery Company. And in 1776, it was used
as riding school by the British troops.
Soon after the great fire, which came very
near destroying the building-burning all
around ton two sides-the society con-
cluded to sell it and build another church
on the Rack Bay; as the land on which the
church stands is very valuable for business
purposes; owing to its central location. 1t
was for a while used as the post Office.
Since then there has been strong desire
to preserve this ancIent structure in its or
iginal state. The Old South Preservation
Committee came to the rescue and purchas-
ed the property for 100000, and are doing
their best toward saving the building.
Various entertainments, fairs, lectures
and grand balls have been given to this
end; but SO far the amount required has not
been raised, and Its fate seems uncertain.
1t is now used as museum, with an exhi-
bition of interesting curiosities of the olden
time. The entrance fee goes towards rails
ing the preservation fund.
In my last letter I referred to the pecu-
liar green that attends the foliage here. as
contrasted with our southron shade of a
lighter tint. This is mainly due to differ
ence of climate, where the substance of the
tree or bush is not taxed so heavily by the
fructuescent powers of nature for so long a
period, as they are in a warmer climate,
giving to their latent powers strength and
hardness that produce this apparent diff
ference.
From the fact that we are here directly
on the Atlantic coast, where the salt air
from the east winds exercise potent in
fluence on all things animate and inanimate
hereabout, may serve as another reason for
this difference.
But to apply my theory TO the subject of
early and late planting, I adopt the first
suggestion on hypothetic base, and would
argue for good results in late planting. as it
Is 10 nature and natures God that we are
to look for undeniable truths in all things
G. p. W.
011r, Wochin0ton Tnttnr